Ok so after being a SP member and now a GP I have to ask myself, "Is there really a difference in the employee working the SP line vs the GP line? I mean personally i think its about 50 people (just an example) in the same room all working at the computer next to each other but each saying "thank you for calling the _________ preferred reservation line, how may I help you?" I am aware that during heavy traffic times they will transfer preferred members with different statuses to non-corresponding agents (SP transferred to the GP line).

I am not doubting that the CP line has different employees but maybe they are the same people. I had a friend who worked at the Raleigh call center for AA and he told me they would put him somedays on the Gold line, then another day he would work the Plat line. SO it makes me wonder if these reservationists are really any different at each elite level.

I think there was an article in About US saying that the SP/GP line is the same pool of people and the PP/GP line is a (better) pool of people.

I recently became GP and I've found no difference between the SP and GP lines.

I noticed a big difference from SP to GP, but so far no big difference between GP and Plat.

During peak times, SP I'd still be on hold for a long time, but GP I'd still get through. Plat I have yet to have a hold time, and I've noticed a few times they've answered "Chairmans" - that never happened as GP, so I assume sometimes I get a CP "angel".

During peak times, SP I'd still be on hold for a long time, but GP I'd still get through. Plat I have yet to have a hold time, and I've noticed a few times they've answered "Chairmans" - that never happened as GP, so I assume sometimes I get a CP "angel".

I was transferred to the CP desk once as a SP. Interestingly, the agent that I dealt with was one the least helpful of any I have talked to since becoming a SP. Maybe she was being punished by being forced to talk to SPs...:rolleyes:

I was transferred to the CP desk once as a SP. Interestingly, the agent that I dealt with was one the least helpful of any I have talked to since becoming a SP. Maybe she was being punished by being forced to talk to SPs...:rolleyes:

Yeah the one time I too was transferred to a CP desk the agent actually downgraded me to Y, i was so pissed off.

The biggest difference I noticed from the SP to the GP line is the lack of having to hold. SP was dramatically better than the no status line. The difference ebtween SP and GP was not nearly as dramatic. I also felt like I ended up with someone overseas much more often with the SP number.

I should hit Plat next week, so I have no first hand knowledge there.

I used to work in a call center and we would answer whatever came up on our prompt. We would answer calls from basic members up to our top tier platinum members. The only difference from my side was how I answered the phone. And of course how the person on the other end treated me was how I treated them. :D

I was transferred to the CP desk once as a SP. Interestingly, the agent that I dealt with was one the least helpful of any I have talked to since becoming a SP. . .

Not unusual. As a former HP elite, living and traveling largely in the west, the CP agents are, more often than not, unable or unwilling to help me with a "west" issue. I've generally found them quite helpful with "east" or international issues, but dare to make a request related to a west flight and it will typically be met with resistance.

For any west-related issue, I've started calling the Platinum line, which is manned by the west agents who used to handle HP Platinum customers (the top tier at the time). I'll continue to do this until there is a single res system that all are working with.

Not unusual. As a former HP elite, living and traveling largely in the west, the CP agents are, more often than not, unable or unwilling to help me with a "west" issue.

Nailed it in one! It was, in fact, a "west" flight - I hadn't thought about that as a potential issue.

The biggest difference I noticed from the SP to the GP line is the lack of having to hold. SP was dramatically better than the no status line. The difference ebtween SP and GP was not nearly as dramatic. I also felt like I ended up with someone overseas much more often with the SP number.

I should hit Plat next week, so I have no first hand knowledge there.

I've never (in years of being CP/GP/SP, not in any order) gotten someone overseas. Because I always hang up and redial :D .

Kidding aside--you actually got an overseas call center on a preferred number?

I'd rather wait 5 minutes for someone in INT than deal with Manilla "right now."

Kidding aside--you actually got an overseas call center on a preferred number?

I'd rather wait 5 minutes for someone in INT than deal with Manilla "right now."

Once or twice. Mostly during times when the weather was a mess and hold times even on the SP line were outrageous. For the most part I have had good experiences with the support lines once I got the preferred numbers.

Tried today booking an award flight with the G line. Agent had no clue how to check Virgin, was very nice, called his supervisor, appologized several times for the wait and after he found out, cursed at the (slow) computer system several times but persisted and succeeded. Fantastic service overal and usually so. Was once helped by the CP angels; wow, fabulous. Never had overseas, but both G en S good service in the past.

Y'all should be grateful: as a United Premier I almost ALWAYS get India. As a Delta Gold however I always get US within seconds.

It seems like every time I post I kill the topic....

Been a CP for the last 8 years of my life.

Seen the airline go down the tubes.

Only reason I still fly them is because of the CP desk. (and, I live in PIT)

In my opinion, I've never encountered service representatives better than the US CP angels.

And no, I've never stayed at the Ritz-Carlton.

Would someone PM me the HP Plat Number so I can call them for my west flights? Thanks!

Would someone PM me the HP Plat Number so I can call them for my west flights? Thanks!


You have a PM... :cool: